U.S. patent application number 12/056094 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure.
Invention is credited to Eiji Ashihara, Hiroyasu Ota.
Application Number | 20080239738 12/056094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39420299 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080239738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ota; Hiroyasu ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
MOTORCYCLE FRONT LIGHTING APPARATUS STRUCTURE
Abstract
A motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure includes a
headlight and a position light provided adjacent to the headlight.
In this structure, the position light is disposed in a condition
protruding downwardly from a lower edge of the headlight. This
structure allows the position light to be made larger, and makes
any needed repair easy and cost effective.
Inventors: |
Ota; Hiroyasu; (Saitama,
JP) ; Ashihara; Eiji; (Saitama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
39420299 |
Appl. No.: |
12/056094 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/475 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q 1/0433 20130101;
B60Q 1/0047 20130101; B62J 6/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/475 |
International
Class: |
B62J 6/00 20060101
B62J006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2007 |
JP |
2007-095425 |
Oct 19, 2007 |
JP |
2007-272693 |
Claims
1. A front lighting apparatus structure for a motorcycle
comprising: a headlight; and a position light; wherein the position
light is disposed at a lower portion of the headlight and outside a
lens of the headlight.
2. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 1,
wherein the position light is removably mounted on the
headlight.
3. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 1,
wherein the position light has an upper portion mounted on a
headlight lower cover disposed at the lower portion of the
headlight, and a lower portion mounted on a side of the
headlight.
4. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 2,
wherein the position light has an upper portion mounted on a
headlight lower cover disposed at the lower portion of the
headlight, and a lower portion mounted on a side of the
headlight.
5. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 3,
wherein the position light includes a position light case, the
position light case including laterally extending mounting tabs
which are attached to the headlight lower cover, and a boss formed
on a backside thereof which is fastened to a case of the
headlight.
6. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 4,
wherein the position light includes a position light case, the
position light case including laterally extending mounting tabs
which are attached to the headlight lower cover, and a boss formed
on a backside thereof which is fastened to a case of the
headlight.
7. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 1,
further comprising a meter unit is disposed on an upper portion of
the headlight.
8. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 1,
further comprising a meter unit, wherein the meter unit includes at
least one bracket for attaching the meter unit a case of the
headlight.
9. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 1,
further comprising a meter unit having a pair of headlight mounting
brackets on an underside thereof, wherein the headlight mounting
brackets are attached to a pair of meter mounting brackets formed
on a rear portion of a case of the headlight.
10. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 1,
further comprising a meter unit having a pair of headlight mounting
brackets on an underside thereof wherein the headlight includes a
case, the case including a pin engagement portion and a pair of
meter mounting brackets projecting from on a rear portion thereof
wherein the pin engagement portion is adapted to receive a pin
mounted on a headlight stay, and the meter mounting brackets are
attached to the pair of headlight mounting brackets on the
underside of the meter unit.
11. A front lighting apparatus structure for a motorcycle
comprising: a headlight; and a position light including multiple
LEDs; wherein the position light is disposed at a lower portion of
the headlight and outside a lens of the headlight.
12. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 11,
wherein the position light is removably mounted on the
headlight.
13. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 11,
wherein the position light has an upper portion mounted on a
headlight lower cover disposed at the lower portion of the
headlight, and a lower portion mounted on a side of the
headlight.
14. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 12,
wherein the position light has an upper portion mounted on a
headlight lower cover disposed at the lower portion of the
headlight, and a lower portion mounted on a side of the
headlight.
15. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 13,
wherein the position light includes a position light case, the
position light case including laterally extending mounting tabs
which are attached to the headlight lower cover, and a boss formed
on a backside thereof which is fastened to a case of the
headlight.
16. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 11,
further comprising a meter unit is disposed on an upper portion of
the headlight.
17. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 11,
further comprising a meter unit having a pair of headlight mounting
brackets on an underside thereof, wherein the headlight mounting
brackets are attached to a pair of meter mounting brackets formed
on a rear portion of a case of the headlight.
18. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 11,
further comprising a meter unit having a pair of headlight mounting
brackets on an underside thereof, wherein the headlight includes a
case, the case including a pin engagement portion and a pair of
meter mounting brackets projecting from on a rear portion thereof
wherein the pin engagement portion is adapted to receive a pin
mounted on a headlight stay, and the meter mounting brackets are
attached to the pair of headlight mounting brackets on the
underside of the meter unit.
19. A front lighting apparatus structure for a motorcycle
comprising: a headlight mounted on a front fork; a position light
disposed at a lower portion of the headlight and outside a lens of
the headlight; and a meter unit disposed on an upper portion of the
headlight, wherein the meter unit includes a pair of headlight
mounting brackets on an underside thereof, and wherein the
headlight mounting brackets are attached to a pair of meter
mounting brackets formed on a rear portion of a case of the
headlight.
20. The front lighting apparatus structure according to claim 19,
wherein the position light has an upper portion mounted on a
headlight lower cover disposed at the lower portion of the
headlight, and a lower portion mounted on a side of the headlight.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-095425, filed
Mar. 30, 2007, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-272693,
filed Oct. 19, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a front lighting apparatus
structure for a motorcycle, including a headlight and a position
light provided according to the headlight.
[0004] 2. Description of Background Art
[0005] A known motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure
includes a position light integrated into a case for a headlight
(see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-57807).
[0006] A headlight mounting structure is known, in which a meter
unit is mounted on a headlight, the headlight is attached to
housing by tightening, and the housing is rotatably supported on a
stay of the headlight (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open
No. 2005-324703).
[0007] In the abovementioned known front lighting apparatus
structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-57807,
however, making the position light large for improving indication
performance and appearance calls for making the entire headlight
case large. This is not desirable from a design viewpoint.
[0008] If the headlight fogs or a related problem occurs as a
result of water entry in the case because of a defective position
light, the position light cannot be replaced with a good one
individually. This makes it necessary to replace the entire
headlight, requiring a large amount of repair cost.
[0009] Further, in the known headlight mounting structure disclosed
in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-324703, the housing needs to
be made larger in order to enhance rigidity of the housing
(headlight cover) supporting the meter unit and the headlight.
Further, a headlight aiming procedure also moves the meter unit
mounted in the headlight. This results in the meter unit being
moved out of an optimum position for a rider.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing
problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide a
front lighting apparatus structure for a motorcycle, the structure
allowing a position light to be made larger easily and being
advantageous in terms of cost of repair and the like.
[0011] To achieve the foregoing objects, according to a first
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front lighting
apparatus structure for a motorcycle including a headlight and a
position light, in which the position light is disposed at a lower
portion of the headlight and outside a lens of the headlight.
[0012] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the front
lighting apparatus structure is characterized in that the position
light is removably mounted on the headlight.
[0013] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the front
lighting apparatus structure is characterized in that the position
light has an upper portion mounted on a headlight lower cover
disposed at the lower portion of the headlight, and a lower portion
mounted on a side of the headlight.
[0014] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the front
lighting apparatus structure is characterized in that a meter unit
is disposed on an upper portion of the headlight.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
[0015] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
first aspect of the present invention, the position light is
disposed at a lower portion of the headlight and outside the lens
of the headlight. This allows the position light to be designed
separately from the headlight when the position light is to be made
larger for improved indication performance and appearance. The
position light can therefore be easily made large.
[0016] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
second aspect of the present invention, the position light is
removably mounted on the headlight. This allows the position light
to be repaired individually, independently of the headlight. This
makes the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
second aspect of the present invention advantageous in terms of
repair cost.
[0017] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
third aspect of the present invention, the position light has the
upper portion mounted on the headlight lower cover disposed at the
lower portion of the headlight, and the lower portion mounted on
the side of the headlight. This allows the headlight and the
position light to be compactly assembled together.
[0018] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
fourth aspect of the present invention, the meter unit is disposed
on the upper portion of the headlight. As compared with the
arrangement, in which the meter unit is mounted via a meter stay on
the side of the vehicle body, a heavy-weight part, such as the
stay, can be disused to make the mounting structure even simpler
and lighter in weight.
[0019] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front view for illustrating a front lighting
apparatus structure for a motorcycle according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, shown through a meter
visor;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view showing the front
lighting apparatus structure of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a front view for illustrating a front lighting
apparatus structure for a motorcycle according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing the front lighting
apparatus structure mounted at the front side of the
motorcycle;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a back view showing a headlight unit shown in FIG.
6;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of
FIG. 8;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of
FIG. 6, showing mounting of a headlight lens and headlight side
covers;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of
FIG. 6;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII
of FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII
of FIG. 12;
[0034] FIG, 14 is a front view for illustrating a lens cut of a
position light;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a meter unit;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI
of FIG. 7; and
[0037] FIG. 17 is a front view showing a stay.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the motorcycle front lighting
apparatus structure according to a first embodiment of the present
invention includes a headlight unit 10, a meter unit 11, and a
position light 12.
[0039] The headlight unit 10 includes a headlight case 13 formed
into a substantially V shape and a transparent headlight lens 14
fitted to a front portion of the headlight case 13.
[0040] The headlight case 13 includes a center bracket 15 and a
pair of side brackets 16. The center bracket 15 is formed at a
center and the side brackets 16 are formed on sides at an upper
portion of the headlight case 13. The center bracket 15 and the
side brackets 16 are formed in an upwardly protruding
condition.
[0041] The headlight case 13 further includes a pair of upper
brackets 17 and a pair of lower brackets 18. The upper brackets 17
and the lower brackets 18 are formed on the sides of the headlight
case 13. In addition, the headlight case 13 includes a rear side
position light bracket 19 formed on a lower end of the headlight
case 13 in a downwardly protruding condition.
[0042] The headlight lens 14 includes a position light recess 20
formed on a lower end edge of the headlight lens 14. The position
light recess 20 is upwardly recessed. Portions on both sides of the
position light recess 20 form front side position light fixing
portions 21, 22.
[0043] The meter unit 11 accommodates therein a speedometer, a
tachometer, a fuel gauge, and the like not shown. The meter unit 11
includes a center bracket 23 formed on a lower surface thereof in a
protruding condition. The center bracket 23 is aligned with the
center bracket 15 of the headlight case 13. A screw 24 is then
screwed in to secure the center bracket 23 in place. The meter unit
11 further includes a pair of side brackets 25 formed in a
protruding condition on sides thereof. The side brackets 25 are
aligned with the side brackets 16 of the headlight case 13. A screw
24 is then screwed in to secure the side brackets 25 in place.
[0044] The meter unit 11 is directly mounted to an upper portion of
the headlight case 13. This arrangement helps make a mounting
structure simpler and lighter in weight by disusing a heavy-weight
part, such as a stay, as compared with the known meter unit which
is mounted on the side of a vehicle body via a stay.
[0045] The position light 12 is independent of the headlight unit
10. A transparent position light lens 27 is fitted to a front
portion of a position light case 26 mounted externally on the
headlight case 13.
[0046] The position light case 26 includes a pair of headlight lens
fixing brackets 28, 29 formed in a protruding condition on both
sides at the front thereof. The position light case 26 further
includes a single headlight case fixing boss 30 formed at a center
in the rear thereof.
[0047] The headlight lens fixing brackets 28, 29 are aligned with
the front side position light fixing portions 21, 22 of the
position light recess 20, while the headlight case fixing boss 30
is aligned with the rear side position light bracket 19. Then,
screws 24 are screwed into the respective positions, so that the
position light 12 is secured to the headlight unit 10. It is to be
noted herein that the position light 12 can be removed
independently of the headlight unit 10 from the headlight lens
fixing brackets 28, 29 and the headlight case fixing boss 30 by
removing the screws 24.
[0048] The position light 12 bulges downwardly from a lower edge of
the headlight unit 10. The position light 12 is therefore designed
separately from the headlight unit 10 when the position light 12 is
to be made larger to improve indication performance and appearance.
In addition, the position light 12 is removably mounted
independently of the headlight unit 10. This allows the position
light 12 to be repaired independently of the headlight unit 10.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, the headlight case 13 includes a bulb
mounting portion 32 formed at a center of a reflector 31. A bulb
33, for example a halogen bulb, is mounted in the bulb mounting
portion 32.
[0050] The position light 12 includes a board 34 fixed to the
position light case 26. Six white LEDs (light emitting diodes) 35
are mounted on the board 34. The board 34 is electrically connected
to a control circuit mounted in the vehicle through a connector or
the like not shown. The LEDs 35 thus emit light as current is
supplied thereto from the control circuit.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, the headlight case 13 is secured in
place by a bolt 37 and a nut 38 by way of a rubber damper 36 as an
elastic member, with a headlight stay 40 disposed on the side of
the vehicle at a backside of the upper bracket 17 and a cowl 39
including a front cowl and a side cowl disposed on a front side of
the upper bracket 17.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, the headlight case 13 is secured in
place by a bolt 37 and a nut 38 by way of a rubber damper 36 as an
elastic member, with the headlight stay 40 disposed on a backside
of the lower bracket 18 and the cowl 39 disposed on a front side of
the lower bracket 18. It is to be noted that the headlight stay 40
may be secured to the headlight case 13 by screwing a screw from
the side of the cowl 39 into the headlight stay 40, instead of the
bolt 37 and the nut 38.
[0053] Being elastically mounted with the cowl 39 on the side of
the vehicle body, the headlight case 13 forms a rigid vehicle body
structure used as a structural member including the cowl 39. The
headlight case 13 and the cowl 39, being assembled to the headlight
stay 40 via the rubber damper 36, are not directly subjected to
vehicle body vibration. In addition, the headlight unit 10 and the
position light 12 are assembled into the vehicle body with an
outside of the headlight lens 14 and the position light lens 27
covered with the cowl 39. This arrangement hides the headlight lens
fixing brackets 28, 29 (see FIG. 1) to add to good appearance
design.
[0054] In the motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure as
described heretofore, the position light 12 is disposed in a
condition protruding downwardly from the lower edge of the
headlight unit 10. When the position light 12 is to be made larger
with the aim of improved indication performance and appearance, the
position light 12 can be designed independently of the headlight
unit 10. This facilitates making the position light 12 large.
[0055] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
embodiment of the present invention, the position light 12 is
removably mounted independently of the headlight unit 10. This
allows the position light 12 to be repaired individually,
independently of the headlight unit 10. This makes the front
lighting apparatus structure according to the embodiment of the
present invention advantageous in terms of repair cost.
[0056] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
embodiment of the present invention, the meter unit 11 is directly
mounted on the upper portion of the headlight unit 10. As compared
with the arrangement, in which the meter unit is mounted via a stay
on the side of the vehicle body, a heavy-weight part, such as the
stay, can be disused to make the mounting structure even simpler
and lighter in weight
[0057] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
embodiment of the present invention, the headlight case 13 of the
headlight unit 10 is mounted in the cowl 39, while the cowl 39 is
elastically mounted in the headlight stay 40 on the side of the
vehicle body. This arrangement allows the headlight unit 10 and the
cowl 39 to be used as a structural member to form a rigid vehicle
body structure.
[0058] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
embodiment of the present invention, the position light 12 is
mounted on the headlight lens 14 of the headlight unit 10. This
achieves a simple mounting structure without involving a stay or
the like on the side of the vehicle body.
[0059] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
embodiment of the present invention, the position light 12 has a
light source including the plurality of LEDs 35, which makes an
illuminating area large.
[0060] The position light 12 may be mounted on the side of the
headlight case 13, in addition to the side of the headlight lens
14. Alternatively, the headlight stay 40 disposed on the side of
the vehicle body may be extended downwardly so that the position
light 12 can be mounted thereon.
[0061] FIGS. 6 through 17 are views showing a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the front lighting apparatus
structure for a motorcycle according to the second embodiment of
the present invention includes a headlight unit 50, a position
light 90, a turn signal light 110, a meter unit 120, and a
headlight stay 140 for mounting the foregoing parts at the front
side of the motorcycle.
[0063] The headlight unit 50 includes a headlight case 51, a
headlight lens 52, a pair of headlight side covers 53, 54, and a
headlight lower cover 55. More specifically, the headlight lens 52
is a transparent part disposed at a front portion of the headlight
case 51, having a substantially V-shaped front view. The pair of
headlight side covers 53, 54 covers an upper portion and sides of
the headlight lens 52. The headlight lower cover 55 covers an area
surrounding the position light 90 disposed at a lower portion of
the headlight lens 52 and extends obliquely upwardly alongside the
headlight side covers 53, 54.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the headlight case 51 includes a
bulb mounting portion 57 formed therein to face a center hole in a
reflector 56. A bulb 58, for example a halogen bulb, is mounted in
the bulb mounting portion 57. The reflector 56 is fitted to the
headlight case 51 by vertical and horizontal aiming adjustment
portions 59, 60 and a rocking motion center 61 that serves as a
center of rocking motion for the vertical and horizontal aiming
adjustment portions 59, 60. The rocking motion center 61 supports
the reflector 56 horizontally and vertically rockably by means of a
spherical member 85 fixed in the headlight case 51. The horizontal
aiming adjustment portion 60 includes an internally threaded member
87 operatively connected with a protrusion 86 extended rearwardly
from the reflector 56 and an externally threaded member 88
supported in the headlight case 51. The internally threaded member
87 and the externally threaded member 88 are screwed together.
Rotating the externally threaded member 88 varies a relative
position between the internally threaded member 87 and the
externally threaded member 88 so that the reflector 56 is rocked
horizontally about the rocking motion center 61. The vertical
aiming adjustment portion 59, being constructed in the same manner
as the horizontal aiming adjustment portion 60, rocks the reflector
56 vertically about the rocking motion center 61.
[0065] The headlight side covers 53, 54 are fixed together as
follows. Specifically, referring to FIG. 10, at a center at an
upper portion, a fitting hole 62 made in a first headlight side
cover is fitted over a boss 63 provided in a second headlight side
cover. Then, with an upper lock tab 64 of the headlight lens 52
clamped, the headlight side covers 53, 54 are screwed together.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, each of the headlight side covers 53,
54 includes a side bracket 65, a lower forward bracket 66, and a
lower rearward bracket 67. The side brackets 65 are disposed on a
backside at an upper portion on both sides. The lower forward
brackets 66 are disposed on lower forward portions. The lower
rearward brackets 67 are disposed on lower rearward portions. The
side brackets 65 are fastened, from a backside, with a pair of side
cover side mounting tabs 68 disposed at upper portions on both
sides of the headlight case 51. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 11, the
lower forward brackets 66 are fastened from a backside to a pair of
side cover lower forward mounting bosses 69. Further, the lower
rearward brackets 67 are fastened, together with a side extension
bracket 71 extending sideways at a lower portion of the headlight
lens 52, to a pair of side cover lower rearward mounting bosses 70
disposed on the backside of the headlight lower cover 55. In FIG.
6, the turn signal light 110 is disposed on each of the headlight
side covers 53, 54.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 11, the headlight lower cover 55
includes, in addition to the side cover lower forward mounting
bosses 69 and the side cover lower rearward mounting bosses 70, an
opening hole 72 formed at a middle portion thereof, in which the
position light 90 is disposed. A pair of position light mounting
bosses 73 for fastening a pair of mounting tabs 91 of the position
light 90 is formed at a backside on both sides of the opening hole
72.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 11 through 14, the position light 90 is
secured in place as follows. Specifically, the pair of mounting
tabs 91 extending sideways a position light case 92 is fastened to
the position light mounting bosses 73 of the headlight lower cover
55. Further, a boss 93 formed on a backside at a center of a lower
portion of the position light case 92 is fastened to the headlight
case 51.
[0069] The position light 90 is constructed as follows.
Specifically, a board 94 is fixed together with a reflector 100 to
the position light case 92. Five white LEDs (light emitting diodes)
95 are mounted on the board 94. The board 94 is electrically
connected to a control circuit mounted on the vehicle through a
connector or the like not shown. Current supplied from the control
circuit illuminates the LEDs 95. Two position light lenses,
specifically, an outer lens 96 and an inner lens 97, are mounted on
the position light case 92. A lens cut 98 having a substantially
hexagonal front view is formed on a backside of the outer lens 96.
The inner lens 97 has a front surface on which a lens cut 99 having
a substantially hexagonal shape smaller than the lens cut 98 is
formed. In the position light 90, the reflector 100 is mounted
together with the board 94 on the position light case 92 so as to
surround the LEDs 95.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 12, a tubular member 101 forming a vent
port is disposed near a mounting portion with the headlight case 51
rearward the position light 90 and at a lower portion of the
headlight lens 52. This enhances a defogging effect of the lower
portion of the headlight case 51.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 15, the meter unit 120 includes an upper
case 121 and a lower case 122, in which a speedometer, a
tachometer, a fuel gauge, and other types of meters are
accommodated. A transparent cover member 123 is fitted over the
upper case 121. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 16, the meter unit 120 is
fitted to the headlight unit 50 as follows. Specifically, headlight
mounting brackets 124, 125, 126 disposed at a center at the front
and on both sides in the rear, respectively, of the lower case 122
are fastened to meter mounting brackets 74, 75, 76 disposed,
similarly, at a center at the front and on both sides in the rear,
respectively, upward the headlight case 51.
[0072] The upper case 121 of the meter unit 120 includes protectors
127, 128 extending rearwardly and disposed at a center and on both
sides in the rear thereof. The protectors 128 on both sides cover
upward portions in the rear of the headlight mounting brackets 125,
126 as shown in FIG. 16. The protectors 128 shield from an outside
mounting portions on both sides in the rear of the meter unit 120
and the headlight unit 50 disposed downwardly thereof and
engagement portions between the headlight unit 50 and the headlight
stay 140 to be described later The protectors 128 thereby enhance
appearance. The protectors 127 at the center suppress entry of
water in the headlight unit 50 disposed downwardly thereof.
[0073] A meter visor 129 is disposed forwardly of the meter unit
120 so as to cover a front portion of the meter unit 120 and an
upper portion of the headlight unit 50. The meter visor 129 is
specifically secured to the meter unit 120 and the headlight unit
50 as follows. The meter visor 129 is first locked in a lock
portion 130 formed at a front portion of the upper case 121 of the
meter unit 120. The meter visor 129 is then fastened to mounting
tabs 77 extended upwardly from upper portions of the headlight side
covers 53, 54.
[0074] The headlight unit 50 integrated with the position light 90
and the meter unit 120 is mounted at the front portion of the
motorcycle via the headlight stay 140. Referring to FIG. 17, the
headlight stay 140 includes two vertical bars 141 and two
horizontal bars 142, 143. Each of the two vertical bars 141 is
partly curved and extended vertically The horizontal bars 142, 143
extend in a crosswise direction, having both ends curved to be
welded to the vertical bars 141 at a middle portion and a lower
portion of the vertical bars 141, respectively. A stay tab 145 is
welded and fixed to each of the vertical bars 141 at the middle
portion thereof. The stay tab 145 has a pin member 144 provided
therein in a standing condition. In addition, a stay tab 147, in
which a weld nut 146 is fixed, is welded and fixed at a lower
portion of the lower horizontal bar 143 and each of the vertical
bars 141.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 7, each of the vertical bars 141 has an
upper end 148 and a lower end 149 inserted in place in a steering
shaft 160, and a top bridge 162 and a bottom bridge 163 supporting
a front fork 161. A rubber bushing 80 is then fitted into a
mounting hole 79 in a pin engagement portion 78 formed integrally
for shared use with the meter mounting brackets 75, 76 of the head
light case 51. The rubber bushing 80 is then fitted externally to
the pin member 144 of the stay tab 145. The upper portion of the
headlight unit 50 is thereby inserted in and engaged with the pin
member 144 of the headlight stay 140. Further, a pair of stay
mounting brackets 81 extending rearwardly at the lower portion of
the headlight case 51 is fastened to the stay tabs 147 at the lower
portion of the headlight stay 140 in a vehicle width direction. The
headlight unit 50 is thus secured to the headlight stay 140.
Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 164 denotes a main frame
surrounding the steering shaft 160.
[0076] In the front lighting apparatus structure according to the
second embodiment of the present invention, the position light 90
is disposed at the lower portion of the headlight unit 50 and
outside the headlight lens 52. When the position light 90 is to be
made larger with the aim of improved indication performance and
appearance, the position light 90 can be designed independently of
the headlight unit 50. This facilitates making the position light
90 large.
[0077] In addition, the position light 90 is removably mounted in
the headlight unit 50. This allows the position light 90 to be
repaired individually, independently of the headlight unit 50. This
makes the front lighting apparatus structure advantageous in terms
of repair cost.
[0078] In addition, the position light 90 has an upper portion
mounted in the headlight lower cover 55 disposed at the lower
portion of the headlight unit 50. Further, the position light 90
has a lower portion attached to a side of the headlight unit 50.
This allows the headlight unit 50 and the position light 90 to be
compactly assembled together.
[0079] Further, the meter unit 120 is mounted on the upper portion
of the headlight unit 50. As compared with a common arrangement of
mounting the meter unit 120 via a meter stay disposed on the side
of the vehicle body, a heavy part including the stay can be disused
to achieve a simple and lightweight mounting structure.
[0080] According to the mounting structure for the headlight unit
50, the headlight stay 140 is disposed between the top bridge 162
and the bottom bridge 163 supporting the front fork 161. The
headlight unit 50 has the upper portion inserted in and engaged
with the pin member 144 of the headlight stay 140 from the above.
Further, the headlight unit 50 has the lower portion fastened to
the lower portion of the headlight stay 140. This helps make the
headlight case 51 smaller and improve assemblability.
[0081] The headlight case 51 includes the meter mounting brackets
75, 76 formed thereon for mounting the meter unit 120 on the
headlight unit 50. The pin engagement portion 78, into which the
pin member 144 is inserted, is formed integrally with the meter
mounting brackets 75, 76. The pin engagement portion 78 is shared
with the meter mounting brackets 75, 76. This makes for an even
more compact headlight unit 50.
[0082] The position light 90 is disposed at the lower portion of
the headlight unit 50 and outside the headlight lens 52. The
position light 90 and the headlight unit 50 can therefore be
redesigned easily.
[0083] Further, the meter unit 120 is mounted on the upper portion
of the headlight unit 50. As compared with the common arrangement
of mounting the meter unit 120 via a meter stay disposed on the
side of the vehicle body, a heavy part including the stay can be
disused to achieve a simple and lightweight mounting structure.
[0084] Further, the meter unit 120 has the headlight mounting
brackets 125, 126 on the underside thereof. The meter unit 120 also
includes the protectors 128 covering the rear upper portions of the
headlight mounting brackets 125, 126. This shields from the outside
the mounting portions of the headlight unit 50 and the meter unit
120 and the engagement portions between the headlight unit 50 and
the headlight stay 140, achieving improved appearance.
[0085] Moreover, the headlight unit 50 performs aiming adjustment
by adjusting the position of the reflector 56 relative to the
headlight case 51. Aiming adjustment can therefore be performed
independently of the position of the meter unit 120.
[0086] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *